About
The School of Divinity Library History
The Library Collection
The Library Collection for the Howard University School of Divinity is located, since July 2015, in the Howard University School of Law Library Building at 2929 Van Ness Street NW. The Library Collection’s subject emphases include biblical studies, reformed theology, church history, ethics, world religions, pastoral counseling, and urban ministries. It supports the teaching and research needs of Divinity students, faculty, and other scholars within the Howard University community and globally. It supports the degree programs for the Master of Divinity, dual degrees including Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work, Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration, as well as Master of Arts (Religious Study), and Doctor of Ministry.
History and Purpose
The collection traces its history to the founding of Howard University, which was established originally for the purpose of training "colored preachers and teachers." The Howard University School of Religion and its then-reading room originally were located on Howard's main campus in Douglass Hall. In the 1930s, both were relocated to the nearby Carnegie Building, also on main campus. The move afforded the School considerable space for growth.
Acquisitions and Expansion
In 1940, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Dean of the School of Religion, purchased a portion of the Auburn Seminary Library collection when that seminary's library merged with the Union Theological Seminary Library. This single acquisition greatly expanded the Howard Divinity School's reference and resources collections and was a significant factor in the Howard Divinity School receiving its first accreditation. In 1977, the School of Religion moved to 1240 Randolph Street, NW, marking the inception of an East Campus for Howard University. This move, too, afforded the school an upgrade in terms of facilities; however, the space soon became insufficient for the school's growing enrollment.
Overcoming Obstacles
These obstacles were removed in 1987 with the relocation of the School of Divinity to 1400 Shepherd Street, NE. under the leadership of Dean Lawrence Neale Jones, who placed the library in the center of the Divinity School. On January 21, 2010 the Divinity Library was dedicated as the Lawrence Neale Jones Library in tribute to its namesake, who served diligently as dean from 1975 to 1991.
In July of 2015, the collection was relocated to its current home within the School of Law Library. It includes more than 200 periodicals and nearly 128,000 volumes on topics relating to biblical studies, reformed theology, church history, ethics, world religions, pastoral counseling, and urban ministries. Retrospective holdings are available in bound or electronic format
Finding Us
Traveling by Metrorail
- The Metro Station for the Howard University School of Law is Van Ness/UDC, which is on the Red Line.
- Take the Red Line to the Van Ness/UDC station. Take the Red Line train to the Van Ness/UDC metro station. Follow the exit to the right hand side onto Connecticut Avenue.
Walking from Van Ness/UDC Metro Station
- It is about a 10 minute walk from metro station to the library.
- At ground level, turn around and proceed across the street. Turn left at the next street, which is Van Ness Street.
- Follow Van Ness to the end of the street. The Howard University Law School is at the end of the street. The Law Library is the building at the top of the rise, on the left. View walking routes.
- Directly behind the Law School is a large parking lot. Parking on campus is by permit only. It is recommended that you take the Metro to the Law Library, since finding street parking in D.C. can be difficult.
Driving from Reagan National Airport
- Follow signs to Washington. Take I-395 North/US-1 North. Follow signs to US-1 North. US-1 becomes 14th Street, NW. Go up 14th Street and turn left on K Street. Get in the right lane and go about 4 blocks to Connecticut Avenue. Turn right on Connecticut Avenue. Turn right on Van Ness Street. Howard University School of Law is at the end of the street.
Driving from Dulles International Airport/South (I-395/US-1)
Take the Toll Road to 66 east. Once on 66 east take 495 north/east (towards Baltimore). Once on 495 east, take the Connecticut Avenue exit (Exit 31). Turn right and go south on Connecticut Avenue for about three miles. Turn left on Van Ness Street. Howard University School of Law is at the end of the street.
Driving from Baltimore-Washington International Airport/North (I-495)
Take I-95 south to I-495 west. Once on I-495 west, take I-495 to Connecticut Avenue (Exit 31). Turn left and go south on Connecticut Avenue for about 3 miles. Turn left on Van Ness Street. Howard University School of Law is at the end of the street.
Address and Phone Number
The Divinity Collection/Law Library is located on the West Campus, at 2929 Van Ness St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, and can be reached at 202.806.8045.